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Ode to Joy!

Something has changed in my life lately. Something that started when I started writing regularly, something that I haven't had a chance to spend much time thinking about or trying to figure out or to put on paper. I've been doing a lot of writing. I'm actually working on three books now and two blogs. I work on whichever is appropriate for the day, mood, or whatever suits the inspiration that comes to me. I've really been taking it as it comes and letting life flow around me without getting too caught up in the end result but rather just sitting in appreciation of the moment and writing from my heart and imagination.

This week has been challenging. My little one is sick with a virus that is taking its time leaving her. She's weak and tired and extremely frustrated with the limitations of her normally active little body and she needs mommy to take care of her so I've been spending a lot of time quietly holding her and sitting with her and just meditation more than writing. Of course you can't write about life unless you live it and taking care of my family is what I do. So because of that I've only been "mind writing" and while I have made great strides in the rewrite of my fiction novel everything else has been on hold.

The great advantage to this time away from writing has been the time to just sit and think and what I've discovered is that the thing that has changed is that I am spending a great deal of time in a state of being that can best be described as joy! In fact, even the realisation of that was exhilarating!

To have the opportunity to not only discover what your passion actually is but to have some time to devote to it daily is something I am extremely grateful f. I am also grateful for the support that I've received from you who read my blog and my family who have just let me do my thing.

I've got a cousin who is a musician. He has always been a musician(yes you know who you are, I know you read here). He's in his twenties and he's kind of trying to make his way. He tried a few things first but now he's giving his music a real go. I think he's still a bit confused as to which direction to take it and he's doing some really great things that are of great service to others and that's very important as well.

So today I was driving and thinking about something completely unrelated when suddenly, unexpectedly I remembered something about him. Once when he was young we were visiting my aunt and uncle, his parents. My very young cousin who is 16 years my junior picked up the telephone and proceeded to play a tune on the touch tone keys. It was a Christmas song, I don't remember which one but I remember being absolutely amazed. This was a very young child and he already had, not only the aptitude and talent for music but he was already playing it anywhere he could and at any and every opportunity. He just did it because it was there. He was compelled. Or most likely he was inspired to do it. That kind of passion for something cannot be denied. It is a gift.

If you have a passion for something, writing poetry, knitting sweaters, singing, composing, anything creative there is nothing like the joy you get from just allowing yourself to do it and of making it a priority in your life. Immerse yourself in the thing you love and let go of the idea of income and results and approval and feel the joy in living your passion. Do not let yourself down by settling for less.

It is never too late to start. I made the decision to start writing regularly just two months ago. I will be 43 soon(April 8th, send ecards hint! hint!). I feel as though in a lot of ways my life just began. I am on a path of discovery that is bewildering, exciting and joyful, I'm like a child whose just found a toy, like a kid who just discovered he could play a Christmas song on a telephone receiver!

On Friday I am due to get a package. Inside it will be about ten copies of a little 21 page book that contains a short story I wrote, the story behind the story and several of my poems from here. It's a keepsake book mostly, I won't make any income but it's the first time I will see my work in print in an actual book. The thought fills me with incredible joy.

No, some publisher hasn't come along and discovered how wonderful my work is and decided to approve of me but I'm still proud of it. In fact I approve of it and that's even more important than the approval of a stranger who may be an expert on writing and books but he's not an expert on my soul.

So now that joy has returned I won't be letting it leave again. I will always make the time in my day to write so that I can continue to do what I've been sent here to do. I hope you find away to bring the same joy to your own life. Live your best life and as Abraham Maslow said "let go of the good opinions of other" and experience the joy of living your dream.

There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us. 'Tis good to give a stranger a meal, or a night's lodging. 'Tis better to be hospitable to his good meaning and thought, and give courage to a companion. We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be.~Abraham Maslow~

I have a pact with a friend, she will write a childrens book, and I will illustrate it. I am waiting for her to write first, but maybe you have just inspired me to start with the illustrations and see what she can come up with.

I LOVE the song Ode to Joy. It is one of my absolute favourites. Joy. Such a simple concept - soooo hard sometimes to achieve. I am sorry to say that the Joy in my life has been sadly missing from a large part of it. I am on a mission to bring it back.

Re Pods. I wish I could send some over. Would they make it through customs???

Jen. I've written a children's book. I'm looking for an illustrator...

I forgot..I was going to link to the song...thanks!

Well if I were working in customs, no those pods would likely be confiscated but I would have alterior motives lol. I wonder if I can find the somewhere..there's a British store, maybe there's an Aussie store somewhere!

Audrey..passion about passion..yeah, that's it! And a great topic for another post...you can write it if you want..lol.

And the best part is you manage to share some of that joy with us...thank you for another incredible post.

My passion I think is cooking. I think I feel most alive when I am cooking. I'm lucky this way, because I've found a boss who has similar passions, and we do recipe swaps and cook-out parties every once in a while. Sadly, he is going away, and I shall miss him.

Music is a close second though and my collection of CDs is forever growing, and every few months the carpenter has to make me a new rack.

I had an awesome idea for my girlfriend's birthday gift a few months back. I am filling an entire fat spiral notebook with articles, just my thoughts about various things, and giving it to her. She always wanted something personalized, and so...I guess it's a cool idea? No?

Congratulations on getting your words down in print. That's wonderful. I've only discovered your blogs recently but I can tell already you have a great gift for writing and it is always an enjoyable visit My passion is in photography. I can't say I am a good photographer but when I am out there pointing my camera at whatever I see through my lens, all life's anxieties just slip away.

Well, Breeze, I am Indian, and I live in India, so Indian food is normal everyday food for me. Yes I can cook quite a bit of that, and me and my friends also experiment with food a lot, but I'm afraid I'm decades away from a cookbook...good idea though...maybe if I get started now......